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12-Day Tour of BeiJing, Xian, Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse

Day 01 Arrive Beijing (D)

Arrive Beijing, the capital of the Peoples Republic of China. Meet your guide upon arrival and transfer to your comfortable hotel.

Day 02 Beijing (BLD)

Full day excursion to the Great Wall - the landmark of China. It is the one of the most amazing feats of human labor - the only man-made construction on earth visible from outer space. After lunch, a drive to the Ming Tombs along the Sacred Way with giant marble figures and animals guarding the tomb area for deceased emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Day 03 Beijing - Xian (BLD)

Take morning flight to Xian, the great ancient capital and the eastern end of the Silk Road. City tour begins with a visit to the ancient City Wall which was built in 1370 A.D. Afternoon visit to Big Wild Goose Pagoda which was built in 652 A.D. it contains a larger volume of Buddhist scriptures which were obtained from India by the eminent monk of Xuanzang.

Day 04 Xian (BLD)

Full day excursion to the unparalleled highlight Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses at the Tomb of Qinshihuang, the first emperor in China. Added highlights are a visit to the Huaqing Hot Spring - a former resort area especially for the emperors and the royal family and a visit to Banpo Village - the remains of a Neolithic village dating back to 6,000 years.

Day 05 Xian - Lhasa (BLD)

Fly to Lhasa in the morning. Driving along the highest river in the world-Yar Long Tsangpo River for 1.5 hours to Lhasa. Photo stop at the stone Buddha at Nethang. Afternoon is a complete rest for acclimatization.

Day 06 Lhasa (BLD)

Sightseeing includes Potala Palace which was first built in the 7th century by the famous Tibetan king - Songtsen Gampo and became known as the "Winter Palace" by the 1750s. The Potala is divided into Red Palace and White Palace. The red palace was for religious usage and the white one for political usage. Then visit Jokhang Temple which was built in the Mid 7th century by king Songtsen Gampo. Jokhang Temple is situated in the old section of Lhasa and is the most sacred place in Tibet. Afternoon visit to Barkor Street is known as "Window of Tibet". It is a big free market and a "must" for tourists.

Day 07 Lhasa (BLD)

Full day visit tour to Drepung Monastery which was built in 1416. "Drepung" in Tibetan means "The Hill of Rice". It is the largest monastery in Asia. Then visit Sera Monastery and Norbulingka which was the site of Dalai Lamas summer palace.

Day 08 Lhasa - Gyantse (BLD)

Drive 265km from Lhasa to Gyantse. On the way, you will sightsee the breathtaking Yarlong Tsangpo River and the magnificent Yamdrok Yumtso Lake. "Yamdrok Yumtso" means "Turquoise Lake" in Tibetan. It is one of the three sacred lakes in Tibet. Arrive Gyantse in the afternoon.

Day 09 Gyantse - Shigatse (BLD)

Morning visit to Paicho Monastery and Kumbum Pagoda which is one of the most magnificent buildings in Tibet. Then drive 95km to Shigatse. Upon arrival, visit Tashilunpo Monastery. It was founded in 1447 and was the official seat of Panchan Lama, the chief spiritual and temporal authority of Tsang. The most amazing image in this monastery is the statue of the giant Maitreya (Future Buddha) erected by the 9th Panchan Lama in 1914. This giant statue stands 26m in height and is the biggest bronze statue in the world. Free market will be arranged if time permits.

Day 10 Shigatse - Lhasa (BLD)

Drive 285km to Lhasa. It will take 6 hours. On the way, you will make a stop at the place where the local people make Tibetan incense in their traditional ways.

Day 11 Lhasa - Beijing (BLD)

Fly to Beijing in the morning. Afternoon sightseeing includes Imperial Palace, known as the Forbidden City - one of the greatest feats of ancient Chinese architecture, and Summer Palace - a former resort area of the royal family.

Day 12 Depart Beijing (B)

Your fascinating journey comes to an end as you board your international flight home.

Departure Dates - Guaranteed departures with even one person! We try to arrange your China holiday according to your holiday's schedule.